Tan Jianci

Tan Jianci was born and raised in Beihai, Guangxi. He studied at the Beihai Haicheng No.3 Elementary School. At the age of 6, he moved to Kumamoto, Japan with his family for a year during which time he changed his own name to Kenji (健次) due to his adoration for Kenshiro, a fictional character and the protagonist of the Fist of the North Star manga series. He returned to China at the age of 7 and attended Beihai No. 3 Primary School of Guangxi. Inspired by Michael Jackson, he began to take dance classes in his spare time. At the age of 13, he attended the affiliated secondary school of Beijing Dance Academy where he learned professional ballroom dance.^[1] In 2006, he participated in three tournaments, Taoli Cup National Dance Competition – Latin (where he finished in first place in the group under 16),^[2] the National Dance Sport Championships Professional – Latin (1st place) and Modern (5th place) and the World Grand Prix Finals in Shanghai – IDSF – Latin (3rd place) and Modern (4th place). In 2007, he was admitted to the Beijing Sport University's Art department.^[3]

In 2006, Tan Jianci was selected as one of the trainees of Taihe Rye Music's project group and started the 3-year training period since 2007. In 2009, as a member of the boy group M.I.C., he and the other members debuted at Chengdu WCG (World Cyber Games).^[4]In 2009, the group participated in MIGU Star Academy and eventually won the finals. They officially debuted in October 2010.^[5]

In 2008, Tan Jianci made his acting debut in the film Lost Indulgence directed by Zhang Yibai. He played a bereaved and sullen teenager.^[6]

In March 2012, Tan Jianci participated in the dance competition show Shake It Up, and got fourth place in the final round.^[7]

In December 2014, Tan's first solo single titled "Fly Away" was released.^[8]

In January 2015, Tan starred in his first drama Hua Yang Jiang Hu.^[9] In May 2015, Tan starred in his first musical Tiny Times, adapted from the film of the same name.^[10]

In 2017, Tan co-starred in historical drama The Advisors Alliance. He was cast as Sima Zhao, the second son of the protagonist Sima Yi.^[11] Tan received recognition for his acting skills.^[12]

In 2018, Tan starred in Secret of the Three Kingdoms . He played Cao Pi, the second son of Cao Cao and the first emperor of Wei Dynasty.^[13] The same year, Tan participated in the acting competition show I Am the Actor, earning approval from the audience and achieving an A Grade on the show.^[14] He then starred in the romance drama Never Gone, portraying a frivolous playboy who shows a serious side.^[15]

In 2019, Tan starred in the family drama Over the Sea I Come to You,^[16] romance comedy film Adoring.^[17]

In 2020, Tan starred in republican drama Winter Begonia and received praise for his performance as an opera singer.^[18] The same year he was cast in the drama Winner Is King, adapted from novel Sha Po Lang by Priest alongside Chen Zheyuan. He plays Gu Yun, a military commander.^[19]

In 2022, Tan Starred in IQIYI drama Under the Skin and received praise for his portrayal of a genius painter who joined the police force to repay for his involvement in the death of a police officer and to find out the truth of what happened all those years ago.^[20]

In 2023, Tan Jianci rose to stardom after starred in drama Lost You Forever as special cast. The drama was a hit and his acting as Xiang Liu was praised and brought him several awards, put him as an A-list star actor.

Same year, Tan and Zhou Ye starred in a well received urban romance drama Love Me Love My Voice .^[21]

On April 20 2023, Tan released his first album, “Dreams^[22]".

• Tan Jianci on Weibo (in Chinese)